Lumina Awards Grant for Racial Justice and Equity to NWTC

Kara Leiterman

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) received a $25,000 grant from Lumina Foundation to fund the Growth and Expansion project.

The project will build capacity for NWTC’s Department of Diversity & Inclusion to increase racial dialogue and equity training across two of its three pillars: 1) students and 2) faculty and staff.

From a pool of 312 nation-wide applicants, NWTC is one of 19 college and universities selected to receive funding from Lumina’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity. The fund was created last year in response to racially motivated violence in Charlottesville on the campus of the University of Virginia.

The grants announced this week are in response to what the foundation saw as an urgent need to improve the atmosphere around race on campuses across the country.

“As a philanthropic leader, Lumina shares a deep passion and concern about the nation’s racial climate, especially on college campuses,” said Jamie Merisotis, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation. “These campuses have shown a willingness to address racial disparities at a systemic level: They recognize that achieving equitable results is about more than promoting diversity – it’s about whether the institution fosters a climate in which every student feels welcome and has the same opportunity to earn a degree or certificate of value, regardless of race or ethnicity.”

In partnership with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Lumina evaluated grant applications submitted in response to a request for proposals. The number of responses indicates a strong desire throughout higher education to improve campus culture through community dialogues, faculty and staff development, and other creative approaches. Lumina received proposals from a wide breadth of institutions, including 2- and 4-year, public and private, large and small, and minority-serving.

“It is a great honor to receive the Lumina Foundation Grant for Racial Justice and Equality,”
said Mohammed Bay, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at NWTC. “The funds will help expand educational opportunities with racial dialogue and accelerate the College’s growth toward the creation of an educational and work environment that reflects, appreciates, and celebrates our diverse community. We believe in the success of every person by appreciating their uniqueness and ensuring their comfort with the College environment.”

About NWTC: Offering over 200 career-focused degree, diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) is a nationally ranked two-year college where students prepare for high-tech careers and begin their bachelor’s degrees. NWTC serves over 32,000 students annually; 7,800 students pursued degrees and diplomas.

The College is committed to providing all learners with the highest-quality, high technology education to improve their quality of life. Students at NWTC are provided with resources needed for success. As a result, over 94 percent of grads have careers within six months of graduation and hundreds continue their education through NWTC’s transfer agreements with nearly 40 other colleges/universities.

About Lumina Foundation Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. Lumina envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. The Foundation’s goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.